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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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Cao Cao, with a friendly smile, offered me a cup of honey water. Since it was from my uncle, I gratefully accepted and drank it. Xun Yu, standing beside him, smiled faintly.
“My lord, how many people from Xu Province do you intend to relocate?”
“As many as we can.”
“We should be able to accommodate up to thirty thousand households. Even if we only conscript half of them, they’ll be a great asset.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of one hundred thousand households.”
“My lord, one hundred thousand households would be close to four hundred thousand people.”
“If we aspire to rule the realm, we should be able to accommodate that many.”
Cao Cao had massacred that many civilians in the original history. Fortunately, thanks to my suggestion of “relocation and assimilation,” he would now relocate them to Yan Province to build fortifications and cultivate the land instead of killing them. Yan Province would prosper, while Xu Province would become desolate.
“The supplies from Puyang have arrived, so it’s time to march. Wenlie, you’ll be coming with me.”
“Oh, really?”
Finally, war. War was inevitable in the Three Kingdoms era, and my goal now was to survive on the battlefield.
“Uncle, when do we depart?”
“Tomorrow.”
“…?”
Did I hear that correctly?
We were leaving tomorrow? What about preparations, supply lines, informing the troops?
“I said we would depart as soon as Xun Yu devised a plan to utilize the people of Xu Province. So, we leave tomorrow.”
…Ah, Uncle Cao Cao was an incredibly impulsive man!
Xun Yu approached me and whispered,
“Young Master Cao, it seems you’re not yet familiar with our lord’s methods of warfare.”
“Our lord’s methods?”
“The Yan Province army is always ready to march at a moment’s notice, regardless of the circumstances. If you go to the military camp now, you’ll see that every unit is fully prepared.”
If even Xun Yu said so, it seemed Cao Cao’s army was truly an elite force, capable of mobilizing instantly at his command.
This wasn’t a strategy simulation game. To mobilize and fight instantly at a single command…
“Wenlie, I have a task for you. Go and inform the generals in each camp that we march tomorrow at noon.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I had to obey Cao Cao’s orders.
I left the government office and headed for the military camp. Tens of thousands of soldiers trained there, their shouts echoing as they wielded spears and swords.
I first visited Cao Ren’s heavy infantry division. They were a formidable force, wielding large iron shields and long spears, forming an impenetrable wall.
“Uncle Zixiao.”
“Hmm?”
Cao Ren greeted me warmly.
“Ah, Wenlie. What brings you here?”
“Uncle, I bring an order from the Governor for the entire army. We march on Xu Province tomorrow at noon.”
“What? Hmm, alright.”
As Xun Yu had said, Cao Cao’s army moved on command. Cao Ren immediately summoned his officers and relayed the order, instructing them to prepare their equipment that evening.
After informing Cao Ren’s division, I went to Xiahou Yuan’s camp.
Xiahou Yuan specialized in mobile warfare, commanding mounted archers. As soon as he heard my news, he stopped the training.
“Listen up, everyone! The date is set for tomorrow. Feed the horses well and let them rest!”
“Yes, Commander!”
Xiahou Yuan nodded and clasped my hand.
“Wenlie, are you sure the lord said tomorrow?”
“Yes, Uncle Miaocai.”
“Alright. Go and inform the others.”
Next, I went to Cao Hong’s infantry division.
“Tomorrow? Then we’ll have to cancel tonight’s mock battle and pack our bags. Alright, tell Mengde that Zilian’s troops will be ready.”
“Yes, Uncle Zilian.”
I had informed Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan, and Cao Hong. The last one was Xiahou Dun.
Xiahou Dun was the eldest of the four kinsmen generals, Cao Cao’s most trusted commanders.
Xiahou Dun’s camp was unusually quietThey were training, but it was so sluggish that even I could feel the lack of energy. Some were even lying around in their tents, either resting due to injuries or simply taking it easy.
Xiahou Dun himself was asleep in his tent and only woke up when I roused him to relay Cao Cao’s orders.
“What? Aman said we’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“Uncle… shouldn’t we be preparing for the expedition?”
“Why should I?”
“What? Because we’re marching on Xu Province…”
Xiahou Dun scratched himself as he got up and explained,
“It’s Yuanrang, Hong, and Ren who go on expeditions. I’m staying here to defend this place.”
“Is that so?”
“Aman always leaves me in charge of supplies and logistics when he leads the army. It’ll be the same this time, so I don’t need to prepare to leave.”
When the lord led the army, his trusted second-in-command would remain at the base to manage supplies and defend the territory. Xiahou Dun was Cao Cao’s second-in-command, so he would be staying behind.
I relayed the message, and now, once Cao Cao’s four kinsmen generals informed their subordinates, the entire army would assemble at noon tomorrow for the expedition.
When I returned, Cao Cao was preparing his armor.
“Uncle, I’ve informed all four uncles.”
“Is that so? Then have the attendants prepare your armor.”
At Cao Cao’s command, two attendants approached and took my measurements.
“We’ll prepare your helmet and armor, Young Master.”
They took my measurements and brought me scale armor.
“How does it feel?”
“It’s lighter than I expected. I can move my arms freely.”
The scale armor, made of small metal plates linked together like fish scales, was quite practical. They then fitted me with a helmet, and now, I was ready for the battlefield.
Even so, I doubted I would be fighting on the front lines without an official position. Cao Cao likely wanted me to experience what war was like. He always brought a few relatives along on campaigns.
I appeared before Cao Cao in full armor, and he clapped his hands in satisfaction.
“You look like a true warrior in armor. I expect great things from you.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I removed the armor and stored it away for tomorrow’s departure.
“So, we march tomorrow at noon. What should you do now?”
“I should sharpen my weapons and make sure my horse is well-fed.”
“That won’t take long. Don’t be so dull.”
“What?”
“You don’t have to come home tonight. I’ll tell them you’re busy with preparations for the expedition.”
“Uncle, then…?”
“It’s your first campaign. Go and enjoy yourself tonight.”
Uh, hmm…
“You can leave early today. Zishu can take over your guard duty.”
Cao Cao dismissed me for the day.
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“Nothing to do, and now I’m suddenly free?”
I was told I didn’t have to return to the residence, but it felt strange to just go back and do nothing.
And “enjoy yourself”… It seemed Cao Cao had already heard about Huayan from Wei Hong.
“Hmm…”
I wandered aimlessly, then found myself heading towards Wei Hong’s residence.
The servants at the gate, who were negotiating with foreign merchants, rushed towards me.
“Oh, Young Master Wenlie!”
“May I come in?”
“Of course. We’ll inform the Guild Leader immediately.”
Everything went smoothly after that.
I arrived at Wei Hong’s residence in the early evening and was led to a spacious room. A table laden with a sumptuous feast was brought in, and Wei Hong herself entered.
“Young Master, you’ve come alone today?”
“Ah, yes. It just… happened.”
She smiled faintly and nodded.
“Shall I call for Yan? Or would you prefer another courtesan?”
“Yan would be fine.”
“Understood.”
Wei Hong excused herself, and a moment later, Huayan appeared, carrying a guqin, a traditional stringed instrument.
“Young Master, you’ve come to see me again.”
I nodded silently, and she filled my cup, then sat beside me and began to play.
I had never been particularly interested in traditional music, but listening to her play, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. Enjoying good music with a cup of wine, I understood why the ancients cherished such moments of refined pleasure.
Then I noticed something. Huayan’s attire was different today.
She was wearing a thin, see-through robe, and underneath… she wore nothing. As she played, I could see her nipples through the thin fabric.
She wasn’t wearing anything under such a thin robe?
This was my chance.
I pulled Huayan towards me as she finished playing.
“Ah?”
She was startled but didn’t resist as I embraced her. I pulled at the sash around her waist, and her robe loosened, revealing her breasts.
“There’s no need to undo this…”
I had definitely made the right decision coming here tonight.
I picked up a cup of wine from the table and held it against her smooth skin.
“Young Master, what are you…?”
Huayan blushed, her breasts exposed as her robe fell open.
I guided her cleavage towards the cup. Then, I poured wine from the bottle, slowly filling the valley between her breasts.
“Mmm!”
I had always wanted to try this.
Huayan shivered as the cool wine flowed over her skin, slowly trickling down into the cup.
I lifted the cup and drank. The scent of flowers filled my senses, mingling with the subtle fragrance of her perfume.
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From war drums to wine cups
our Wenlie’s living the ultimate Three Kingdoms fantasy! 🍷🔥
